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   dancer7 Student
   

   The gravedigger's scene marks the return of Hamlet to the play after a long absence. They are digging a grave for Claudius and discuss the nature of kingship and if he will go to heaven. GD1 says that his kingliness will fly up to heaven but his human soul will remain below. They argue over the duty of lowly citizens like themselves. GD1 says they should love their king no matter who he is. GD2 says the king must earn the respect of his subjects. They fight and Hamlet has to separate them. They don't recognise Hamlet and tell him that Claudius is dead. Hamlet holds Claudius's skull and makes his "Alas poor Yorvik" speech. He pays the gravediggers to put Claudius's body in the grave facing down, not up. They used to believe this would guarantee you went to hell. Hamlet ends the scene by meeting Ophelia and telling her that he is sorry. The scene is generally comic and is a light break from the heavier sections of the play.

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   Posted by dancer7 on Saturday August 29, 2009 at 4:42 AM